Table



April 18, 1944. A. M. MER'CUR 2,34s,9ss

TABLE Filed Nov. 10, l942 IN V EN TOR.

Patented Apr. 18, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE y23464985 f v p TABLE 't 4 Alfred M. Mel-eur, Pittsburgh, ra.. Application November 10, 1942, Serial No. 465.159 t V (o1.31i 1 t 1 Claim.

This invention relates to` an improved table structure, and while primarily intended and de'- signed for cafeV and restaurant service, it will be obvious that the same may be employed for any other'purposes wherein it is found to be applicable.

Important objects and advantages of the inventon are to provide a table structure of the character described, which embodies a shiftable top member mounted on a preferably fixed supporting structure, which may be readily constructed4 to embody a plurality of aligned independent top members carried on a common supportin-g structure, which is particularly adapted for conserving space and for utilizing necessarily restricted room areas, which is readily operable for the convenience of the user, which is simple in its construction and arrangement, durable, compact, attractive in appearance, and comparatively economical in its manufacture, installation, maintenance, and use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts herein specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawng, but it is to be understood that the latter is merely illustrative of an embodiment of the invention, and that the actual needs of practice and -manufacture may require certain variations from the embodiment shown. It is, therefore, not intended to limit the invention to the disclosure thereof herein illustrated, but rather to define such limitations to the scope of the claim hereunto appended.

In the drawing wherein like numerals of refer ence designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a table structure, constructed in accordance with the invention; with one of the top members in the projected position.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the table structure.

Figure 4 is a sectional enlarged view on line 4-4, Figure 1.

Referring in detal to the drawing l, 2, and 3. respectively denote fiat, horizontally disposed table top members. The latter are identical in construction and are preferably rectangular in contour, and each is preferably of a size suitable for accommodating only a single individual. Each of the top members carries a depending stop bar 4, which is fixed in position to the underside of themember to eiit'endl alon'g the` entire 1ength'-of the latter at the rearward end thereof. A com-- paratively narrow front board -5 is fixed in position against the'forward edge of each of the top members and extends throughout the len-gth of; the latter. The upper portion of the front board has rounded -corners and extends a considerable distance above the planeof the top surface of the top member, and the lower portion of the front board depends a considerable distance below the plane of the top member.

The top members'l, 2, and 3 are carried at the top of a commonfsupporting structure 6, whichl is preferably intended to be secured in position upon a floor. The supporting structure comprises a plurality of vertically disposed, regularly spaced, supporting legs A fiat, horizontally positioned bottom board 8 is secured to the upper ends of the supporting legs and is disposed below and in proximate parallel spaced relation to the top members. A vertically disposed front wall 9 is secured to the front of the supporting legs and to the bottom board, and close-s the entire front of the supporting structure from said bottom board to the lower end of the supporting legs. The front wall and the bottom board, being secured to the supporting legs, serve as bracing elements and thereby provide a substantial, rigid supporting structure.

Each of the top members l, 2, and 3 is provided with a pair of guide rails IO, which are fixed in position against the underside of the top member to shift with the latter. The guide rails lu extend throughout the width of the top member from the stop bar 4 to the front board 5, and are disposed adjacent to respective side edges of the top member.

Each of the shiftable guide rails li] fixed to the top member has an interfitting connecting engagement with an associated fixed guide rail Il, which latter is secured in position on the top of the bottom board 8.- The guide rails II extend parallel to each other throughout the width of the bottom board, which width is considerabl less than the width of the superimposed top member. Such varying widths in conjunction With the interengaging guide rails HI and l I allow the top member to be shifted forwardly on the supporting structure 6 until the stop bar 4 abuts against the rearward ends of the fixed guide rails Il, as indicated by the top member 2 in Figure 1, and to shift rearwardly to the normal position until the lower portion of the front board 8 abuts against the forward ends of the fixed guide rails ll. A pad 12 is carried at each end of the fixed guide rails I l for cushioning the impact of the stop bar 4 and front board 5 with the latter when the top member is shifted on the supporting structure.

When the improved table structure is employed for cafe or restaurant service, the same is preferably constructed in a group structure embodying four top members for the obvious purpose of accommodating patrons in pairs. However, it is apparent that any number of top members on a common supporting structure may be provided to best meet conditions found in practice. When in their normal positions the top members of any group structure are in longitudinal alignment with the front boards 8 thereof being in abutting engagement with the forward ends of the fixed guide rails H.

As the improved table structure preferablyhas a fixed position on a floor, and is primarily designed to conserve space in limited room areas, it is preferable that the tablestructure be employed in connection with chairs likewise fixed in position. The chairs may be positioned against a wall of the room with the table structure suitably positionedv directlyforward of the chairs. If chairs having seats that can be up-ended, as for instance a theatre type of chair, the resultant conservation of space may be greatly augmented.

The important feature of the improved table structure resides in the embodiment and operation of the top members, which may either be projected or retracted on the -supporting structure to best suit the convenience of the user. When the top member. is fully projected ample structed and successfully employed in the manner and for the purposes hereinset forth.

What I claim is:

In a table structure of the character described, the combination of a plurality of supporting legs, a bottom board secured to the tops of said legs, a

`front wall secured to the fronts of said legs for bracing the latter and for closing the front of the table structure, a plurality of spaced guide members secured to the top of said bottom board, a plurality of separate individual table top members, a pair of guide elements secured to the underside of each of said table top members and shiftably interengaging with respective guide members for allowing the independent forward and rearward adjustment of said table top mem-` bers, a front board 'secured to the forward edge of each of said table top members and projecting above the latter, said front board further depending below the table top member to limit the adjustment of the latter in' the rearward direction, and a stop bar secured to and depending from the rearward edge of the table top member for limiting the adjustment of the latter` in the forward direction.

ALFRED M. MERCUR; 

